Civil Coalition Officially Appeals Ruling in Lawsuit Against Fadli Zon Over Mass Rape Denial
JAKARTA - The Civil Society Coalition Against Impunity has officially filed a legal appeal against the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) ruling regarding statements by Culture Minister Fadli Zon, which are deemed to deny the 1998 mass rape events.
This appeal is registered under Appeal Application Deed Number 335/G/TF/2025/PTUN.JKT, received by the PTUN Jakarta Clerk through the Court Information System (e-Court) on 4 May 2026.
The coalition assesses that PTUN Jakarta misapplied the law in its decision on the case.
The coalition views the PTUN ruling as reflecting a regression in the judiciary’s role as a supervisor of power.
“By not examining the merits of the case, the court is deemed to have avoided substantive judgement on the actions of public officials that have widespread impacts on victims’ rights and public interests, particularly regarding historical truth and recognition of gross human rights violations,” stated the civil society coalition.
Previously, PTUN Jakarta stated that it lacked authority to adjudicate the lawsuit on Tuesday (22/4/2026).
“Considering that based on the legal considerations outlined above, the Court is convinced to declare that the Jakarta State Administrative Court absolutely lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate this dispute,” as quoted from the ruling copy, on Wednesday (22/4/2026).
The object of the dispute in this case is the Ministry of Culture press release Number: 151/Sipers/A4/HM.00.005/2025, dated 16 May 2025.
This press release was disseminated to the public on 16 June 2025 via the official account of Minister Fadli Zon and the official Ministry of Culture account.
“(In the post) stating: ‘…the TGPF report at that time only mentioned figures without solid supporting data, such as names, times, events, locations, or perpetrators. This is where caution and thoroughness are needed because it concerns the truth and the good name of the nation. We must not shame our own nation’s name… It is important to always adhere to legally and academically tested evidence, as is customary in historiographical practice. Especially regarding figures and terms that are still problematic’.”
Referring to Article 1 number 9 of the State Administrative Court Law, a State Administrative Decision is a written determination issued by a State Administrative Body or Official containing a State Administrative legal action based on applicable legislation, which is concrete, individual, and final, giving rise to legal consequences for a person or civil legal entity.
PTUN assessed that Fadli Zon’s statements on his social media do not give rise to rights or obligations because government administrative activities do not refer to specific individuals.
Before deciding, PTUN also considered several other regulations, such as Article 1 paragraph (1) of Perma Number 2 of 2019, Article 1 number 8 jo Article 87 letter a of UUAP, Article 1 number 1 of Perma Number 2 of 2019, up to legal theories on the systematics of government actions.
Ultimately, PTUN decided to accept the exception filed by Fadli Zon.
“Status of the ruling, not receivable,” as stated in the operative part of the ruling.